Periodic Reporting for period 3 - AQUAEXCEL3.0 (AQUAculture infrastructures for EXCELlence in EUropean fish research 3.0)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-11-01 bis 2025-04-30
AQUAEXCEL3.0 (Aquaculture Infrastructures for EXCELlence in European Fish Research 3.0) is a Horizon 2020 Research Infrastructure project running from 2020 to 2025, coordinated by INRAE. It built on more than a decade of EU investment in aquaculture research infrastructures, following previous projects AQUAEXCEL (2011-2015) and AQUAEXCEL2020 (2015-2020), with the ambition to make Europe’s leading aquaculture experimental facilities openly accessible to researchers and industry, while strengthening innovation, sustainability and animal welfare in aquaculture.
The project brought together 40 complementary research infrastructures across Europe, covering a wide range of species, production systems and experimental scales, from controlled laboratory facilities to pilot-scale and open-water systems. Its overall objectives were to:
1. provide high-quality Transnational Access (TNA) to state-of-the-art aquaculture facilities;
2. improve experimental practices through harmonised protocols, advanced technologies and new biological models;
3. strengthen links between research and industry to accelerate innovation uptake;
4. build long-term capacity through training, mobility and open dissemination;
5. ensure the sustainability and legacy of access to aquaculture research infrastructures beyond the project lifetime.
The project brought together 40 complementary research infrastructures across Europe, covering a wide range of species, production systems and experimental scales, from controlled laboratory facilities to pilot-scale and open-water systems. Its overall objectives were to:
1. provide high-quality Transnational Access (TNA) to state-of-the-art aquaculture facilities;
2. improve experimental practices through harmonised protocols, advanced technologies and new biological models;
3. strengthen links between research and industry to accelerate innovation uptake;
4. build long-term capacity through training, mobility and open dissemination;
5. ensure the sustainability and legacy of access to aquaculture research infrastructures beyond the project lifetime.
At the core of AQUAEXCEL3.0 was an extensive Transnational Access programme. Over the full project duration, 184 applications were received, leading to 142 approved projects and 138 successfully completed TNA projects. These involved approximately 205 visiting researchers and provided access to 40 infrastructures operated by 22 partner organisations. Independent evaluations confirmed that this access would largely not have been possible without AQUAEXCEL3.0 demonstrating its clear added value at European level.
Beyond access provision, the project delivered substantial scientific, technological and methodological advances. New technological tools were developed to improve experimental design and data quality, including a virtual laboratory for simulating aquaculture experiments, advanced biotelemetry methods, and validated protocols for real-time microbiome monitoring using nanopore sequencing. In parallel, AQUAEXCEL3.0 advanced innovative biological models, notably through germ stem cell technologies, genome editing approaches, primary cell cultures and organoids, providing promising possible alternatives to animal experimentation and new tools for studying reproduction, nutrition, immunity and health.
Fish welfare was addressed as a cross-cutting priority. The project harmonised welfare indicators across key European aquaculture species, developed user-friendly guidelines, evaluated monitoring technologies, and generated scientific evidence on environmental enrichment and stress responses. These efforts culminated in high-impact review and research publications that are directly applicable to both experimental research and industry practice.
AQUAEXCEL3.0 also played a strong role in capacity building, communication and dissemination. Four free online training courses were developed and made available as long-term distance learning resources, attracting more than 1300 registered participants by the end of the project. A Technician Transnational Mobility programme enabled 28 staff exchanges between partner facilities, strengthening skills, sharing best practices and improving service provision. Across the project, 48 peer-reviewed scientific publications, numerous conference contributions, newsletters and more than 80 videos were produced, all largely available in open access at www.aquaexcel.eu
Industry engagement and innovation uptake were actively supported. Through a structured process involving an Industry and Research Advisory Panel (IRAP), 82 Knowledge Outputs were screened, 22 identified as high-impact, and showcased through eight brokerage events. Five outputs were ultimately recognised as success stories for their strong innovation potential and relevance to aquaculture practice. AQUAEXCEL3.0 also strengthened integration with other initiatives, notably through joint activities with EMBRC, the launch of the AQUASERV project, and partner involvement in the GenoPheniX ESFRI initiative.
Beyond access provision, the project delivered substantial scientific, technological and methodological advances. New technological tools were developed to improve experimental design and data quality, including a virtual laboratory for simulating aquaculture experiments, advanced biotelemetry methods, and validated protocols for real-time microbiome monitoring using nanopore sequencing. In parallel, AQUAEXCEL3.0 advanced innovative biological models, notably through germ stem cell technologies, genome editing approaches, primary cell cultures and organoids, providing promising possible alternatives to animal experimentation and new tools for studying reproduction, nutrition, immunity and health.
Fish welfare was addressed as a cross-cutting priority. The project harmonised welfare indicators across key European aquaculture species, developed user-friendly guidelines, evaluated monitoring technologies, and generated scientific evidence on environmental enrichment and stress responses. These efforts culminated in high-impact review and research publications that are directly applicable to both experimental research and industry practice.
AQUAEXCEL3.0 also played a strong role in capacity building, communication and dissemination. Four free online training courses were developed and made available as long-term distance learning resources, attracting more than 1300 registered participants by the end of the project. A Technician Transnational Mobility programme enabled 28 staff exchanges between partner facilities, strengthening skills, sharing best practices and improving service provision. Across the project, 48 peer-reviewed scientific publications, numerous conference contributions, newsletters and more than 80 videos were produced, all largely available in open access at www.aquaexcel.eu
Industry engagement and innovation uptake were actively supported. Through a structured process involving an Industry and Research Advisory Panel (IRAP), 82 Knowledge Outputs were screened, 22 identified as high-impact, and showcased through eight brokerage events. Five outputs were ultimately recognised as success stories for their strong innovation potential and relevance to aquaculture practice. AQUAEXCEL3.0 also strengthened integration with other initiatives, notably through joint activities with EMBRC, the launch of the AQUASERV project, and partner involvement in the GenoPheniX ESFRI initiative.
AQUAEXCEL3.0 has significantly strengthened the European aquaculture research ecosystem. By providing coordinated, peer-reviewed access to high-quality experimental facilities, it enabled research that would otherwise have been fragmented, delayed or impossible. The project improved the quality, comparability and reproducibility of aquaculture experiments through shared protocols, advanced tools and welfare-centred approaches.
Its results support more sustainable, efficient and responsible aquaculture by informing better nutrition, health management, welfare assessment, breeding and production strategies. Industry-focused activities ensured that scientific outputs were translated into practical knowledge, technologies and services with clear application potential. Capacity-building actions trained researchers and technicians, reinforced networks, and increased Europe’s collective expertise in aquaculture experimentation.
Finally, AQUAEXCEL3.0 delivered a durable legacy. Through integration with follow-on initiatives and long-term access mechanisms, many of its infrastructures and services remain available beyond 2025. In doing so, the project has helped position European aquaculture research infrastructures as a cornerstone for innovation, policy support and sustainable food production in Europe.
Its results support more sustainable, efficient and responsible aquaculture by informing better nutrition, health management, welfare assessment, breeding and production strategies. Industry-focused activities ensured that scientific outputs were translated into practical knowledge, technologies and services with clear application potential. Capacity-building actions trained researchers and technicians, reinforced networks, and increased Europe’s collective expertise in aquaculture experimentation.
Finally, AQUAEXCEL3.0 delivered a durable legacy. Through integration with follow-on initiatives and long-term access mechanisms, many of its infrastructures and services remain available beyond 2025. In doing so, the project has helped position European aquaculture research infrastructures as a cornerstone for innovation, policy support and sustainable food production in Europe.